..::Football III::..

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Van Gaal: We owe the fans a big result


Louis van Gaal feels Manchester United owe their supporters a big result in the second leg of their Europa League tie with Liverpool and the Dutchman insists he would be happy to progress to the quarter-finals after extra time.

United fell to a shambolic 2-0 defeat at Anfield in the first leg of the tie, as Jurgen Klopp's men dominated the encounter from start to finish, and Van Gaal has acknowledged that his side will need to improve rapidly if they are to progress to the quarter-finals, as their hopes of lifting silverware this season continue to dwindle.

"We always owe the fans a big result because the fans pay to see that and we have to deliver," Van Gaal said at a news conference.

"It's a big challenge. We have to believe. It starts with the players and the fans, they have a lot of impact on the pitch. We don't fulfil the expectations and still they support this team.
"The first half of the first leg was not our half. We have to do much better than that otherwise we cannot win.

"My 150th European game in charge? It's a lot, but it's much more important that we beat Liverpool tomorrow. That is our aim.

"When we can do that with two goals difference and without conceding, then we have extra time and, with our fans, we can make it."

Marouane Fellaini has been regularly singled out for criticism this term and appeared to elbow Emre Can in the first leg of the tie at Anfield.

And Van Gaal has refused to discuss the Belgium international's potential involvement at Old Trafford.

"I cannot say if Fellaini plays tomorrow because then I give away part of my line-up and I don't want to do that," the United boss added.

"But Fellaini has his way of playing and he can give us a lot of qualities and has contributed in a lot of games in a very good way."

 

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Van Gaal: We owe the fans a big result

Oka therichcha 1kanam loku deyak​

 

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Klopp not surprised Fellaini escaped Europa League ban

Jurgen Klopp did not expect Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini to receive a retrospective ban for appearing to catch Liverpool midfielder Emre Can with an elbow during last week's Europa League tie.

Fellaini and Can clashed during the final moments of the Anfield match, where Liverpool claimed a dominant 2-0 win that they will defend in the second leg of their last-16 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Uefa confirmed on Monday that Fellaini would avoid punishment as the match officials did not mention the incident in their reports.

Speaking at his pre-match news conference, Klopp took the opportunity to make light of a touchline ban he received from Uefa for reacting angrily towards the fourth official when his Borussia Dortmund side lost a Champions League match 2-1 at Napoli in 2013."Surprised he's playing? No," Klopp said of Fellaini.

"It was a situation with different views. A lot of people at Uefa have said it was a normal situation."They gave me three games for my face in Naples. But that was a long time ago."

Klopp praised the form of Can and insists the Germany midfielder must not become distracted by any furore surrounding his altercation with Fellaini, which could stoke what is already expected to be a heated atmosphere.

"He's in a really good way," he said. "But I want him concentrated on football, not on what people say about him."He's in good shape. He's made a big step [with his form]."

Having praised the vocal backing Liverpool received from their own fans during the initial match, Klopp challenged his players to put in a performance that persuades the Old Trafford faithful against creating a similar din."The atmosphere is loud if people hate you," he explained. "I don't understand what the crowd is singing.

"In Liverpool, it was different. But if we had played poorly, it would not have been the same atmosphere. We will decide how good the atmosphere is with our performance."Three thousand Liverpool fans [in the away end] is enough."

 

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Moreno a doubt to face Manchester United with hamstring injury

Jurgen Klopp could have a fresh injury problem to contend with ahead of Thursday's Europa League second-leg against Manchester United as Alberto Moreno suffered a potential hamstring strain in training.

The left-back was swinging in crosses during a session at Old Trafford ahead of the last-16 tie, and had to stop after pointing out discomfort.

The 23-year-old had a short conversation with Klopp, before talking to head physio Chris Morgan about his issue.

There is no word yet on the extent of the niggle as Liverpool, who hold a 2-0 advantage from the reverse fixture at Anfield, are intent on progressing in the competition at the expense of their arch-rivals.

If Moreno is unavailable, James Milner who missed last Thursday’s meeting due to illness, could slot in at the back. Brad Smith is also an option to deputise.

 

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Klopp: We know how United will play


Manchester United should provide a challenge Liverpool can meet in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 clash, according to Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool were dominant as they secured a 2-0 win on home turf in last week's opening encounter, thanks to a Daniel Sturridge penalty and Roberto Firmino's second-half strike.Klopp wants his players to be brave enough to carry out their gameplan once more and secure a famous triumph over bitter rivals United.

"I am an optimistic guy. We know that we know how to play them," he told a pre-match news conference. "But we have to work for this. We need to be brave and aggressive."You have to stay cool. You have to take your plan and see it through. We have to do things in the right way.

"It's football and the ball is round - right? I am not scared, I am not afraid.
"We made our position better with the result in the first leg but it's not a holiday tomorrow.

"We know about the job we have to do. It's difficult of course, but the circumstances are different. I can hear it in your questions. You all ask whether United can strike back.

 

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Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (agg. 5-1): Messi, Suarez & Neymar fire Catalans to quarter-finals

Two-third of Barcelona's MSN were on target at Camp Nou to ensure easy passage to the Champions League quarter-finals, as Neymar and Luis Suarez hit in each half to secure a 3-1 victory over Arsenal.

The aggregate margin in favour of Luis Enrique's team was 5-1 but Lionel Messi's first-leg brace at Emirates Stadium did not discourage the Premier League side from playing with plenty of enthusiasm in Wednesday's return.

All three of Barca's esteemed forward trio were on target this time around, with Neymar punishing slack defending after 18 minutes.

Mohamed Elneny and Alexis Sanchez wasted chances to equalise before the break but a splendid finish from the former allowed him to chalk up a maiden Arsenal goal on the grandest of stages six minutes into the second half.That superb effort gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope, with Arsene Wenger's men requiring two more goals in a little under 40 minutes, but they were ultimately undone by the remainder of Barca's fearsome three-pronged attack.

Suarez provided unforgettable fireworks and Messi added a late third to keep Barcelona on course to retain their European crown and leave Arsenal – out of the FA Cup and adrift in the Premier League title race – to reflect on a sixth successive last-16 exit.

Danny Welbeck scuffed an early chance wide via his standing foot and Arsenal were encouraged by an uncharacteristically untidy start from their hosts.

Mesut Ozil left Sergio Busquets on the seat of his shorts and advanced to send a shot whistling past Marc-Andre ter Stegen's right-hand post.Barcelona offered a glorious demonstration of their quality in the 17th minute when Neymar expertly picked out Messi with a raking pass.

Messi's first touch was exquisite but Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina similarly pulled a save out of the top drawer.

Jeremy Mathieu was allowed a free header on the bounce from the resulting corner and a short and sharp spell of Barcelona pressure ended with the opening goal.
Hector Bellerin allowed Neymar to sprint through goal-side of him and the manner in which he collected Suarez's pass and slotted home came with frustrating ease for Wenger.

A heavy touch meant Elneny allowed a 38th-minute opening to pass him by and Sanchez headed a Bellerin cross wide when he should have punished his former employers.


The industrious Alex Iwobi - a surprise starter - had an early second-half strike deflected into the side netting by Dani Alves before Arsenal pulled level on the night in wonderful fashion.Sanchez cut a low pass from the left into Elneny's path and the midfielder steered a crisp side-footed shot into the top-right corner.

Barca emerged from their latest slumber with a lightning combination between Neymar and Messi – the Brazilian's backheel setting up his team-mate to force Ospina into a low save – although a timely recovery tackle from Javier Mascherano prevented Welbeck from ramping up the unexpected anxiety inside Camp Nou.

But where Arsenal lacked precision to go with their enthusiasm, Suarez contributed decisively with his 43rd goal of the season – and arguably his best - in the 65th minute.Alves hung a cross towards the back post where Suarez contorted himself and sprung acrobatically to send a spectacular volley beyond a helpless Ospina.

His opposite number Ter Stegen made a double save from Sanchez and substitute Olivier Giroud, before Messi's impudent dink underlined the gulf in penalty area class two minutes from time.

 

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Bayern Munich 4-2 Juventus (AET, agg 6-4): Brilliant comeback sends hosts through

Bayern Munich staged a brilliant comeback to beat Juventus 4-2 at the Allianz Arena and progress to the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Goals from Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado gave Massimiliano Allegri's men a shock 2-0 lead at the interval, but the Bavarians fought back through Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller's late header forced extra-time.

Thiago Alcantara then gave Bayern the lead for the first time in the 108th minute, before Kingsley Coman's vicious strike made it 6-4 on aggregate and sent the German giants into the last eight, where they could meet Manchester City; the club Pep Guardiola is set to join this summer.

Massimiliano Allegri was unable to call upon key men Paulo Dybala, Claudio Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini, but a stunning display of counter-attacking gave them hope of pulling off a stunning win.

Bayern had blown a two-goal advantage in the first leg and were relentless in ensuring the Italians suffered a repeat of sorts, with Juve's stiff resistance wilting after Lewandowski's strike as the Bundesliga leaders kept Pep Guardiola's hopes of bowing out of Bavaria with Champions League success alive.

It had not looked so sweet when Bayern gifted Juve their sixth-minute opener, however.

Manuel Neuer inexplicably rushed off his goalline as David Alaba, under pressure from Stephan Lichtsteiner, failed to control a long ball from Sami Khedira and Pogba calmly stroked the loose ball beyond two covering defenders and into the net.

Franck Ribery wildly blasted a volley over the crossbar as Bayern pushed for an instant equaliser, while Muller failed to trouble Gianluigi Buffon with a header from a dangerous position.

Alvaro Morata lobbed Neuer after another error from the goalkeeper, but his smart effort was chalked off by the linesman, although replays suggested the Juventus striker was onside.

It mattered little as Juve doubled their lead in stunning fashion in the 28th minute. Morata danced past a number of opponents as he charged forward from inside his own half before setting up Cuadrado, who took a touch to slip past Philipp Lahm and beat Neuer with a fine shot at his near post.

Muller was denied by Buffon from close range and Juve were fortunate as an attempted clearance hit Lewandowski and bobbled just wide.

Cuadrado should have put the tie to bed in the 44th minute after a low cross from the left, only for Neuer to partially make amends for his previous mistakes with a stunning reflex save.

Morata continued to cause the Bayern defence all kinds of trouble after the interval and he came close to adding a third, but his shot took a deflection off Alaba before drifting over the crossbar.

The hosts' focused their attacks out wide but initially struggled to create chances of note, until Lewandowski headed home in the 73rd minute after Douglas Costa delivered a stunning cross from the right flank.

Bayern completed their comeback well into stoppage time, with Muller heading home from close range after a pinpoint cross from substitute Coman to send the game into extra time.

Lichtsteiner could have restored Juve's lead in the 93rd minute after being set up by Mario Mandzukic, but his effort lacked the power to surprise Neuer.

Thiago then had Bayern ahead for the first time in the game when he fired home in the 108th minute after a quick one-two with Muller.

And Coman came back to haunt his previous employers as he put the tie to bed two minutes later after darting in from the right.

 

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Bayern Vs Juventus match 1ka pattaniyama comeback 1kak Bayern lagen​

 

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Messi sets new Champions League record against Arsenal

Another game and another record set by Lionel Messi - this time at the expense of Arsenal.

The Argentine capped off a 3-1 victory on Wednesday evening with a stunning scooped finish from close range, although the goal of the night was Luis Suarez’s sublime effort to put Barcelona 2-1 up.

But Messi’s goal was his ninth against Arsenal in the Champions League - and no other player in the competition’s history has scored more against a single opponent.

 

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Welbeck rues Arsenal misses against Barcelona

Danny Welbeck urged Arsenal to learn from their Champions League exit as Barcelona forward trio Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi gave Arsene Wenger's men a lesson in clinical finishing.

Neymar opened the scoring on Wednesday, building on a 2-0 aggregate lead established during the first leg by Messi.

Mohamed Elneny netted his first Arsenal goal to equalise six minutes into the second period but an acrobatic Suarez volley and a trademark dinked finish from Messi made it 3-1 on the night for Luis Enrique's team, who were often short of their sublime best in chalking up a 38th game unbeaten in all competitions.Welbeck was among the culprits as Arsenal passed up a number of presentable chances in either half and the England forward struggled to look towards plenty of positives for the visitors that were undermined by a lack of cutting edge

"We had a plan to try and get through to the next round," he told BT Sport after Arsenal departed in the round of 16 for a sixth consecutive season.

"It's a difficult occasion for us but unfortunately we couldn't get through."We had a couple of opportunities where we should have done better with it and with their quality that they've got they're very clinical. There's a lot to be learned.

"[Camp Nou] is a place where you want to leave your mark and there were certain occasions where we could have done things better. It's disappointing."

 

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Suarez: I don't know how I scored that goal!

Luis Suarez was as stunned as many inside Camp Nou when reflecting on his acrobatic volley in Barcelona's Champions League triumph over Arsenal.Heading into the last-16 match with a 2-0 aggregate lead, Neymar extended the advantage for Luis Enrique's men but Arsenal were not discouraged.

Mohamed Elneny hit his first goal for the club as Arsene Wenger's team created the bulk of the chances immediately before and after half-time.But the hosts' nerves were extinguished in the truly spectacular style and Suarez leapt and contorted himself to spear Dani Alves' cross into the top corner.

Lionel Messi added a typically stylish third with an 88th-minute chip and Suarez was keen to credit the collective as attention focused on his individual brilliance.

"We played a complete game, they complicated the match by getting to 1-1," he told beIN Sport."I don't know how I hit that ball, but I scored.

"We needed to control the game when it was 2-1 because we knew about their physical condition and because they had the result going against them, we knew they were going to go and take the game to us."In the end we proved we are strong here and made home advantage count."

On the prospect of repeating last season's phenomenal treble, with Barca clear at the top of La Liga and into the final of the Copa del Rey, Suarez sounded a note of caution.

"All matches need to be played," he added.

 

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Wenger: Barca's forwards turn football into 'work of art'


Arsenal's Arsene Wenger showered praise on Barcelona after going down in the Champions League last 16, admitting the talents of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar are almost unplayable.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Wenger watched as each member of the MSN scored at Camp Nou to seal a 3-1 home victory.

Mohamed El Neny's fantastic long-range strike was the only consolation for the Gunners, who nevertheless put up a spirited resistance that belied the 5-1 aggregate score.

“I’m pleased with the performance. The quality of our game was good. The performance shows our season is not over," the manager told reporters at a press conference.

“I am disappointed with the result but we played a team with the best three strikers I’ve seen.
“From nothing they can create a chance. You must admire art. They have two or three players with the ability to transform normal life into art.

"Of course for me it is suffering as well but it is exceptional what Messi does."

Wednesday's loss marks the sixth consecutive season that Arsenal have exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage.

But Wenger insisted that every game should be just on its own merits. “I give you the stats (six in a row). We have to consider game by game. You look at the positives and negatives and prepare for the next one," he said.

“We have gone out against top sides, who went on and won the Champions League after. On one occasion we were completely guilty, against Monaco. The others were against Bayern and Barcelona twice.”

 

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Juventus count the cost as Coman inspires Bayern Munich's revival

There’s an irony around Kingsley Coman’s inspired performance which rescued Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola with a 4-2 extra-time, second-leg win over Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Juventus have been afforded the luxury of having Paul Pogba in their team due to one the biggest mistakes in Sir Alex Ferguson’s career. But it was their own summer transfer blunder - letting Coman join Bayern on loan - which led to elimination in the Champions League this term.

Juventus blitzed Guardiola’s men in a whirlwind opening 45 minutes at the Allianz Arena, and appeared on course to reach the quarter-finals after Pogba’s early opener was added to by Juan Cuadrado.

But Bayern roared back in the second half and Guardiola’s decision to introduce Coman to his parent club in the 60th minute was the turning point.

If his pinpoint cross to set up Thomas Muller’s injury-time equaliser was a sight to behold, then his goal to solidify Bayern’s revival was something else.

From midway in his own half, Coman needed only three touches to get into Juve’s area before showing composure and technique beyond his years to check back on his left foot and rifle past Gianluigi Buffon.

For Bayern, the 19-year-old has looked unrecognisable from the winger who failed to break through at both Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

At PSG, his path to the first team was blocked by the likes of Lucas Moura, Javier Pastore, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi. It was a similar story in Turin, as more senior stars and Massimiliano Allegri’s reliance on wing-backs limited starting roles in his favoured position.

Despite his star turn at the weekend, bagging three assists in the 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, Coman was again a bystander for much of Wednesday evening.But he was given enough time to come off the bench to steal Juve’s chances of completing a remarkable comeback and potentially reaching their second successive Champions League final.

Coman now has six goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances in the Champions League and Bundesliga this season. His loan move will become permanent if Bayern utilise their right-to-buy option for £21 million - practically a steal in today’s market. And Juve could be counting the cost for years to come.

 

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Coman patta​

 

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Guardiola dedicates Juventus thriller to Bayern fans

Pep Guardiola dedicated Bayern Munich's Champions League progression to the quarter-finals to the Allianz Arena faithful after a stunning 4-2 extra-time win over Juventus.

Bayern prevailed 6-4 on aggregate on home soil as Thiago Alcantara and Kingsley Coman struck in the additional period forced by Thomas Muller's 91st-minute equaliser on Wednesday.

Goals from Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado had put a slick counter-attacking Juve 2-0 up before the interval before Robert Lewandowski started the thrilling comeback in the second half.

It had looked at one point as though Bayern would be beaten in the last 16 and Guardiola's chances of leaving the German giants with a Champions League crown would be dashed, but the three-time European Cup-winning coach remains hopeful.

"This was a great game for the fans," Guardiola said. "We played against the finalist of last year and knew they are a great team.

"I have to give a big compliment to my team. It's very complicated to win against an Italian team after going 2-0 down."Philipp Lahm echoed many of his coach's sentiments, but pointed to a stunning Manuel Neuer save off Cuadrado just before half-time as a turning point.

"First of all thanks to the crowd, "Lahm added. "It was an incredible atmosphere and the fans pushed us forward.

"You can see how close it is between the top teams, we could have conceded a third goal just before half-time.

"But we knew we could make it from two goals down, the players who came on did an outstanding job."It was an incredible night."

 

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Bayern Munich set TWO new Champions League records after Juventus revival

Bayern Munich completed a stunning revival to sink Juventus and reach the Champions League quarter-finals - and Pep Guardiola’s men set two new records in the process.

The German champions looked to be heading out of the competition after Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado had put Juve two ahead by half-time, but Bayern battled back to seal a 4-2 victory in extra time with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Thiago and Kingsley Coman.

Bayern have made it into Friday’s quarter-final draw and it’s the 15th time that the German club have made it to that stage of the competition - no other club has matched that.
Guardiola’s side have also scored three goals in their last seven home games in the Champions League - again, not even Barcelona can match that.

 

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'Arsenal have weak players who cheat supporters'

Roy Keane has claims Arsene Wenger has a “weak group of players” and has accused Arsenal of “cheating” supporters.

Wenger’s men were eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday following a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou.

The Gunners also crashed out of the FA Cup to Watford last Sunday and need to overturn an 11-point gap behind Leicester City in order to be in with a chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

“It tells you that they’ve got a weak group of players, who can’t seem to lift it for certain games,” the former Manchester United captain told ITV.

“No doubt the pressure has got to them in the last few months and for players at Arsenal football club who can’t deal with pressure, then you shouldn’t be there.

“Tonight the damage was already obviously done in the first game. There’s no great shame in losing 3-1 tonight, the effort was there - but I think Barcelona had switched off - but it must be hard for the manager to stomach that, and for the supporters when they see their players lift it for certain games, but they can’t do it for Watford at home, or Swansea at home.

“They’re cheating the supporters in that sense.”

 

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Giggs frustrated by United's inconsistency

Ryan Giggs admitted his frustration with Manchester United's inconsistencies, though the assistant manager highlighted the club's unfortunate injury record this season.

United are in the midst of a three-match winless streak in all competitions as their topsy-turvy season continues ahead of Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday.

Pressure has been mounting on manager Louis van Gaal following a difficult campaign, which has seen United fall four points adrift of rivals Manchester City in the race for the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.

Injuries have not made things easy for Van Gaal, who has been without full-back Luke Shaw for most of the season, while captain Wayne Rooney, Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young and Bastian Schweinsteiger have all spent time on the sidelines.

And while United's season has not gone according to plan, Giggs insisted there is still plenty to play for, with the Manchester side vying for a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals, albeit needing to overturn a two-goal deficit against Liverpool, and the FA Cup semi-finals.

"The consistency has been frustrating," Giggs told the Telegraph. "We would go on a good run and then have a disappointing result.

"Obviously there have been a lot of injuries. A lot of them have been freak injuries – shoulders and Luke Shaw's leg. A lot of knocks, the kind of things you can't do anything about."And then when the squad gets small you are asking a lot of players to play games when maybe they could be rested or rotated.

"So it seems to have a domino effect when you do get a few injuries and we have just never got out of that. We are nine, 10 weeks left of the season and we are still in the FA Cup, still in the Europa League and still trying to get that top-four spot. We are still fighting and we still have something to play for."There are clubs in worse positions. The FA Cup is a competition we have a massive history in and we haven't won it for 12 years so that's huge for us.

Liverpool, then [Manchester] City: two big games in three days, if I was a player I would be looking forward to it."

 

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UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.17

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg Fixtures 2016.03.17​

AGG
(0-2)​

Leverkusen Vs Villareal

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AGG
(0-1)​

Valencia Vs Athletic Bilbao

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AGG
(1-1)​

Lazio Vs Sparta Praha

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AGG
(0-3)​

Tottenham Vs Dortmund

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AGG
(0-1)​

Braga Vs Fernerbahce

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AGG
(0-2)​

Manchester United Vs Liverpool

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AGG
(1-3)​

Anderlecht Vs Shaktar

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AGG
(0-0)​

Sevilla Vs Basel

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2 Goals deflect 1kak recover karanna thiyennelesi wenne naha dan thiyana form 1kath ekka

but nothing impossible

Good luck Manchester United!​